British Man Arrested For Wearing Anti-War T-Shirt

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http://www.militaryproject.org/article.asp?id=779

 

 

British Man Arrested For Wearing Anti-War T-Shirt

 

10 December 2005 The Independent UK

 

 

John Catt, an 80-year-old peace campaigner, was stopped by police

officers as a terrorist suspect in Brighton in September - for wearing

a T-shirt with anti-Blair and Bush slogans.

 

Mr Catt, who served in the RAF during the Second World War, was

stopped, searched by police and made to sign a form confirming he had

been interviewed under the 2000 Terrorism Act.

 

The official record of the encounter confirms that the " purpose " of

the search was " terrorism " and the " grounds for intervention " were

" carrying placard and T-shirt with anti-Blair info " (sic).

 

Mr. Catt was offered a caution by police, but refused and plans to

plead not guilty at a trial due to start in January. He had traveled

into Brighton from his home in Withdean, on the outskirts of the city.

 

" I said I was going to voice my opposition to the Iraq War. He (the

policeman) said: 'We're going to give you a copy of this form.'

 

" People should have the right to protest non-violently. The

anti-terrorism laws should not be used to stop people doing that. "